Float valve



L. C. SMITH Nov. 5, 1929.

FLOAT VALVE Filed D60. 12, 1927 an pe fltow [awry-67706 C 5771? 52 gnome Patented Newo 5, 1929 I LAWRENCE 0. SMITH, F DETROIT, MICHIGAN FLOAT VALVE Application filed December 12, 1927. Serial No. 239,587.

tinguished by its simplicity of constructionand operation which not only enhances its value both mechanically and commercially but provides a design of a strong and durable.

nature. i

Float valves as now commercially produced are provided with a float chamber having a closure formed with inlet and outlet passages through which the refrigerating medium may be supplied to and removed from the chamher. The inlet passage for the refrigerating medium being controlled by a suitable valve member which engages a valve seat formed integral with the closu e member. This latter arrangement is objectionable not only due to the time and labor required to accurately form the valve seat in the closure, but also ow-- ing to the fact that when the valve seat becomes worn or inaccurate, it is necessary to replace the entire closure. l I

It is therefore one of the primary objects of this invention to provide a detachable valve arrangement for c ntrolling the inlet passage for the refrigerator wherein the valve seatmay be readily removedwithout detaching the closure. I

Other advantages and novel features of construction which contribute materially to the mechanical efliciency of the apparatus also add materially to its commercial value and acceptability together with the structural features of the invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein Figure 1 is a detail sectional view through a float chamber embodying my'in'vention, and

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof. Referring now to the drawing, it will be 45 noted that the numeral 10 designates a float chamber which may be attached to any suitable support such as the top of a brine tank (not shown) of a refrigerating apparatus.

The float chamber may be any shape desired and may be constructed of any suitable material and is provided with an open end 11 closed by a cap 12 cletachably secured to the chamber by means of the bolts 13. This cap is preferably a casting and is provided with the inlet and outletpassages 14 and 15 re-' ;spectively through which the refrigerating medium may be sup lied to and removed from the chamber when t e cap is attached thereto. The outlet passage 15 is preferably formed in the upper portion of the cap and is provided with a funnel-shaped member 16, the mouth 17 of which is positioned a slight distance above the normal level of the refriger-. ating medium. The funnel is preferably formed of sheet metal and is secured to the G5 mouth of the passage 15 in any suitable manner such for example as by Welding. The outer end of the passage 15 may be connected I to a suitable conduit (not shown) for conveying refrigerant to the usual expansion coils 7 within the brinetank.

The inlet passage 14 is positioned below the normal level of the refrigerant and is provided with a threaded opening 18 for receiving the inlet valve assembly 19. As shown the valve assembly comprises a stud 20 provided with a longitudinally extending bore 21 terminating in an enlargedbore 22 forming an annular shoulder 23 upon which a ball 24. arranged within the enlarged bore 22 is 39 adapted to seat. The enlarged bore 22 is furthcr provided with a series of outlet 'ports 24' for the flow of refrigerant into the chamber 10. The outer end of the stud is provided with a slot or groove 25 for engagement by a 5 suitable tool so that the stud and consequently the inlet valve assembly may be readily re-- moved when desired.

For operating the valve 24, I provide a vfloat 26 having arelatively long arm 27 piv- 9o otally mounted as at 27 on -a' lug 28 projecting inwardly from the cap 12 substantially below the mouth 17 of the funnel shaped member 16. Journaled upon a pin 29'secured to the depending projection 29 formed on the outer end of the arm 27 is amember 30, which as shown projects downwardly from the arm 27 between the furcations 31 formed on the inwardly extending projection 32 of the cap and engages the ball 24 for normally holding 10 2 v avaaeea I drawing the member 30 is fulcrumed'intermediate the endsthereof upon a pin 33 secured to-the fu'rcations 31. Thus from the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that the valve'24 is operated by the member 20 which in turn is operated by the float, and'the movement of the latter will be controlled by th l vel of the refrigerating medium. v

Referring now to the operation of the apparatus, it'will be noted thatas gas is generated in the float chamber 10 and passed out through the outlet passage 15, the level of the level of the refrigerating medium in the chamber 10 together with the float 26 is lowered. The device is so proportioned and designed that when the refr gerating medium in the float mined level the ball 24 will be permitted to recede from the valve seat 23 allowing the refrigerating medium in the inlet passage 14 to enter the chamber. Referringmore in detail to the mechanism for actuating the valve 24,it will be noted that when the level of the refrigerating medium together with the float 26 is lowered in the chamber 10 the depending projection 29 together with the pivot 29 is swung downwardly about the pivot-2?. its the pivot 29 approaches the fulcrum 33 the outward pressure exerted upon the ball 2a by the member 30 to hold the ballagainst its seat is relieved and the member 30 is capable of a slight rocking movement about the pivot 29. YVith the parts in this position the refrigcrating medium contained in the passage 14E forces the ball '24 andmember, 30 inwardly 7 float 26 also risesandlduring and flows into the chamber to replenish the supply thereof. As thelevel of the refrigerating medium in the chamber 10 rises the this upward movement of the float 26 the pivot 29 moves inwardly or away from the fixed fulcrum 33 and accordingly forces the free end of the member 30 outwardly about'the fulcrum 33 and into engagement 'withth'e ball 24 to move the same into engagement with its seat. The float 26 is so calibrated as to accurately control the level of the refrigerating medium within the chamber irrespective of; the amount of oil floating upon the top thereof.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an improved float valve distinguished by its simplicity of construction and facility with which repairs may be made when required.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A float chamber for refrigerating apparatus having inlet and outlet passages therein for a refrigeratingmedium and a detachable valve assembly comprising a valve seat and valve threadedly engaging one of said passages for controlling the flow of refrigerant therethrough, said valve assembly chamber reaches a certain predeten' to be removed from a being adapted tobe removed-from a point exteriorly of the chamber;

2A float chamber for refrigerating apparatus having inlet and outletpassages therein for a refrigerating medium, a member threadedly-engaging one of said passages having a longitudinally extending -bore therein communicating with the interior of the chamber, and a valve arranged Within said member for controlling the flow of re frigerating medium therethrough, said member and valve being removable from a point .exteriorly of the chamber.

3. A float chamber for refrigerating apparatus having inlet and outlet passages therein for a refrigerating medium, a member'threadedly engaging one of said passages having a longitudinally extending bore there through terminating in an annular valve seat and a valve member arranged within said bore and engageable with said seat for controlling the flow of refrigerant through said bore, said valve member and member aforesaid being readily removable from apoint exteriorly of the chamber.

4. A float chamber for refrigerating apparatus having inlet and outlet passages therein for a refrigerating medium, a float positioned within said chamber and having an arm pivoted on the latter, a plug threadedly engaging one of thepassages aforesaid and having a valve seat associated therewith, a valve member engageable with said. seat, and means engageable with said valve mem her for actuating the same including a member pivotally mounted. upon. said arm adjacent the pivotal connection of the latter wit-h the chamber and fulcrumed on the chamber. 7

5. A float chamber for refrigeratingapparatus having inlet and Outlet therein forthe flow of a fluid, a float poslroe passages tioned within. said chamber and having an arm pivoted on the latter, a valve for controlling the flow of refrigerant through one of said passages, and means engageable with the valve for actuating the same including a I member pivoted at one end on said arm adjacent the pivotal connection of the. latter with the chamber and'fulcrumed intermediate the ends thereof on said chamber.

6. In a float chamber for refrigerating apparatus having an opening therein for a. refrigerant, a readily detachable valve assembly comprising a valve seat and valve for'controlling the flow ofrefrigerant through said opening, said valve assembly being adapted point exteriorly of the chamber.

lln testimony whereof ll afhx my-signature.

LAWRENCE C. SMITH.

DI SO L Al M E R 1,73 l,604.Lm0'/'en0c 0'. Smith, Detroit, Mich. FLOAT VALVE. Patent dated November 5, 1929. Disclaimer filed March 13, 1931, by the assignee, Keloinator 00rpomtion.

Hereby enters the following disclaimer, to wit: A. Your petitioner disclaims from claims 1 and 6 of said Letters Patent all combinations of removable valve assemblies with refrigerant float chambers except combinations in which the valve assembly in its entirety is countersunk in the opening through which refrigerant is admittedto the chamber.

B. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 2 of said Letters Patent all removable valve assemblies except those in which the valve member is adapted to be unseated by the pressure ofliquid inthe conduit associated with the opening in the chamber within which the valve assembly is secured.

C. Your petitioner disclaims from claim 3 of: said Letters Patent all removable valve assemblies except those in which the valve closing member is positioned between the valve seat and the inner extremity of the valve housing.

[Ofiicial Gazette March 31, 1931.] 

